NYC Embraces Event: More Than 14,000 Visitors, 330 Exhibitors
Turn Out
Paramus, N.J. -
June 25, 2012 - With a move to New York City, increasing
awareness of franchising as a lucrative avenue to business
ownership, and an improving economy, the 2012 debut of the
International
Franchise Expo
in New York was nothing short of astonishing, according to show
organizers. Smashing previous records on both fronts, 334
exhibitors showcased their concepts and products to an estimated
three day attendance of 14,313 visitors. Held from June 15-17 at
the Javits Center in Manhattan, the nation's largest franchise
event landed in the center of the business world for three days
of lead generation, education and networking.
This year's IFE hosted more than 100 first time exhibitors
attracted by a change in location after 20 years in Washington,
D.C. and spurred by the desire to expand in the New York
metropolitan area. Many veteran IFE franchisors claimed they saw
more foot traffic by noon on the first day than they did over the
course of the entire weekend during last year's event.
"The IFE was a huge success for us this year," said John
Twist, Vice President of franchise and business development for
Batteries Plus. "We were able to connect with multiple candidates
who own cell phone stores, hardware stores and restaurants all
looking for the next lucrative opportunity to invest in. For most
people, the show was their first exposure to our brand and
concept, and the reception was extremely positive. We walked away
with some solid leads that will most definitely translate into
sales."
Media interest in the show was at an all-time high too, as
word about the IFE's significance spread in the weeks and days
leading up to the show. Attendance and coverage included:
Fox Business Network
,
Business News Daily, CNBC.com, CNNMoney.com,
Entrepreneur.com, FoxBusiness.com, New York Daily News, The
Street, Wall Street Journal, WCBS-TV, and WPIX-TV.
MFV Expositions, the show's producers, ramped up their marketing
efforts with street teams, billboards, street banners and media
buys with publications like
Money, TIME and Fortune
to increase awareness of the new and improved IFE.
"Initially, we were concerned about the 2012 IFE - we had set
our goals and expectations rather high," said Tom Portesy,
President and CEO of MFV Expositions. "A few weeks prior to the
expo, our confidence soared - the reaction to the IFE coming to
New York City was everything we hoped for and then some. In our
twenty five years of producing franchise events, regardless of
success, this is the first expo where every single exhibitor was
delighted with the results. It was an extraordinary weekend for
franchising, the International Franchise Association and MFV
Expositions."
For more information about the International Franchise Expo
and to find out more for next year's show, please visit
www.ifeinfo.com
.
About MFV Expositions
For over 20 years, MFV Expositions has been producing the leading
franchise events worldwide that consistently bring together
franchise concepts, at all investment levels, with the most
qualified visitors seeking to own their own business. In addition
to quality franchise expos in the United States and overseas that
offer face-to-face opportunities to grow your franchise, MFV also
offers access to online franchise opportunities through web-based
resources, lead management tools and solutions for generating
sales.